Raku Pottery Retreat at The Mill

1 Space Remaining! Relax & create at this raku- pottery retreat with spectacular open-air firings in idyllic south-west France...

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Join us for 6-nights including 4 days of tutored time in a beautiful airy studio. Explore hand-building, decoration and glazing techniques, together with spectacular outdoor firings drawing the week to a close. With free time to be at ease, swim, walk and enjoy the French country way of living, this is a truly creative and relaxing week in rural France.

Your ceramics tutor for the week will be Helen Ashton - a teacher from The Clay Studio, East Sussex, specialising in Raku techniques, and also a ceramic artist in her own right. She has over a decade of experience in outdoor alternative firing techniques, guiding Raku and Obvara workshops, together with weekly classes and sculptural courses. With her scientific background she developed a fascination for the interaction of glaze components and the raw surface of clay. Her individual pieces are hand-built, thrown and sculpted, both decorative and functional, and full of character and textural interest.

Your time at The Mill will include: Hand-building techniques, coiling, pinching and kurinuki. Experienced support through all creative and glaze processes and outdoor firings Japanese Raku gas firing method, an ancient technique producing colour from fire Obvara firings for a fiery finale In addition to the course activities led by Helen, you will be nurtured at The Mill, this interesting historical flour mill provides comfortable accommodation with a wonderful host, Nathalie Edwards . The mill's restoration provides a variety of rooms from French rustic charm to quirky industrial comfort. Plenty of communal areas, including the stunningly peaceful Library, bold Salon and peaceful areas along the river bank.

Rustic Mediterranean inspired meals, featuring locally sourced produce are served outdoors under a shady Pergola or in the communal dining area within the Mill.

River swims on the doorstep, yoga and plenty of walking/ hiking trails directly from The Mill into nearby hills and medieval villages with various restaurants, cafes and of course the local boulangerie!

You will have the opportunity to visit the Farmers Market in the bustling Medieval heart of Millau Town Centre, or perhaps visit Roquefort, for a taste of the local fromage, or the Millau Viaduct Centre, for those of you who have an interested in Norman Foster's magnificent architectural masterpiece.